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Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker appears to have gone full circle after the club were again linked with a move for Julian Draxler, a forward they first attempted to sign back in January 2014.

While some Arsenal fans begin to resign themselves to the prospect of Olivier Giroud ploughing the loneliest of lone furrows up front again next season, the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham have already added to their forward lines this summer with eye-catching new signings.

Arsenal, of course, attempted to sign Jamie Vardy from Leicester, but the England forward rejected their advances, preferring instead to extend his contract with the Premier League champions.

The return of Yaya Sanogo following loan spells at Ajax and Charlton has not exactly lifted the mood of Arsenal supporters (Picture: Getty)

It was a familiar tale for Arsene Wenger, who has failed to add a recognised striker to his ranks, aside from arguably Danny Welbeck (we’re ignoring Yaya Sanogo for obvious reasons), since the purchase of Giroud.

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Over the same period, Arsenal’s main domestic rivals have signed a combined total of 30 strikers, admittedly with mixed success but it does go to show, contrary to Wenger’s belief, there are players available.

Here Metro gives you a rundown of the strikers Arsenal’s title rivals have signed since the summer of 2012…

CHELSEA

Batshuayi was signed from Marseille during Euro 2016 for £22 million (Picture Getty)

The Blues have bought at least one striker every summer since 2012, although their recruitment strategy could best be described as ‘scattergun’. Veterans Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba did as well as could’ve been expected, while Demba Ba and Loic Remy were short-term fixes. Diego Costa, despite a dip last season, could still be termed a success and should act as a sound mentor for recent arrival Michy Batshuayi. The less said about Alexandre Pato and Rademel Falcao, the better.

LIVERPOOL

Despite his injuries Daniel Sturridge has been a major success since signing from Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Rather than keep their powder dry in their attempts to find a replacement for Luis Suarez, Liverpool have spent the farm on all manner of different forwards. In the box marked ‘failed experiment’ go the likes of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Iago Aspas and Fabio Borini.

Divock Origi looked destined to be heading the same way following several unconvincing early performances, but such has been his improvement under Jurgen Klopp that he may well end up usurping Daniel Sturridge as the Reds’ main man up front this season.

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Danny Ings will also be vying for a start after recovering from a serious knee injury, while Sadio Mane, a £30 million arrival from Southampton earlier this month, will expect to start through the middle. Christian Benteke, however, is destined for the Anfield exit door and with so many different options, could Sturridge be an option for Wenger?

MANCHESTER CITY

Wilfried Bony has made almost no impact since signing from Swansea (Picture: Getty)

Despite their vast fortunes, Manchester City have spent relatively modestly in the forward department in recent years, largely due to Sergio Aguero’s presence as a cast iron guarantee of goals. Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic both contributed to the club’s most recent title-winning season but the duo came and went in the blinking of an eye.

Wilfried Bony is unlikely to have a future under Pep Guardiola having flopped spectacularly since his arrival from Swansea in January 2015, and his chances are likely to be further reduced by the arrival of Nolito from Barcelona, while Kelechi Iheanacho will surely continue to thrive under the Spaniard after his breakthrough campaign last term.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Van Persie’s goals ensured Manchester United romped away with the 2012/13 Premier League title

Giroud was recruited as Robin van Persie’s direct replacement at Arsenal, and although he’s scored a respectable 82 goals in a 187 appearances, his impact has been nothing compared to the effect the Dutchman had on the United team he inspired to the 2012/13 title.

Jose Mourinho will surely be hoping Zlatan Ibrahimovic, signed on a free last week, will have a similar impact at Old Trafford although it remains to be seen whether his presence will reduce the number of opportunities the quicksilver Anthony Martial is afforded through the middle. It would be unthinkable, meanwhile, for the Special One to even contemplate offering Radamel Falcao another chance to resurrect his career after two failed spells at both United and Chelsea.

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TOTTENHAM

Soldado with his head in his hands became a regular sight at White Hart Lane (Picture: Getty)

Tottenham’s need to dabble in the market has been greatly reduced by the stunning emergence of Harry Kane. The England striker’s form over the past two seasons has been such that the £30 million, almost a third of the money they received for Gareth Bale, wasted on Roberto Soldado wasn’t too damaging.

The need for a back-up to lighten the load on Kane, however, has hopefully been lessened by the signing of Vincent Janssen whose arrival was confirmed on Tuesday. If he can reproduce the form the versatile Clint Dempsey produced during his spell at the club, Spurs fans will be appeased.